Yesterday I had an MRI on my head for some TMJ pain I have been having. I got a call from radiology today stating they want me in right away to do a more in depth look at some things. I have no idea what to expect, but it is a very unsettling feeling. I don't know what to expect.
Did the ENT order this MRI? My jaw popped out of socket causing what 4 doctors described as TMJ. I said it wasn't. After six months, it popped back into place. Never a problem again. Seems like overkill for dx of TMJ. It's probably nothing. Let me rephrase that, I sincerely hope it's nothing..and turns out to be a nuisance as mine was.
Breathe deeply. Thinking of you.
My RA was the one that ordered it. I had severe pain in my left side of my jaw, ear, neck, and head. I had swelling on just the left side of my face. I was unable to talk and chew for 2 days. Since then I haven't had more than an annoying pain. I cut out cold beverages and using the left side of my mouth.
Try to relax and get the follow up done asap so you can stop worrying. Could be something as simple as a cyst causing the pain.
Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Maria
Of course you're worried--who wouldn't be!?
It's my understanding that MRIs are bit more complex to read than one might imagine. I'm betting they just have a fuzzy bit they need to see more clearly.
Hugs to you! Waiting and wondering is never fun.
Try not to worry...until you KNOW there is something to worry about. A frequent occurrence with MRI's is to find "artifacts". The radiologist many times cannot tell whether something is just a simple artifact (most cases) or something else.
So just go get the follow-up scan and try not to worry until you hear back with the results.
I agree with the group. Despite us being extremely still while getting the MRI there seems to always be some fuzzy bits they need to redo. They blame it on us for moving lol. Anyway try to breathe and relax and dont worry.
I received my MRI results, they said I am having TMJ "jolts". They have advised me to get injections, but I think I am going to hold off on them. I have learned that if I don't chew on my left side and don't drink cold beverages my pain is manageable. I don't think my Rhuem agreed with me, but the thought of needles in my face is scary. He said I will eventually need jaw surgery but the injections would buy time for that. What do you think should I do the injections?
What kind of injections? How often? How long would it put off surgery? How much more difficult would the surgery be with the additional damage you'll do? Are there alternatives like a bite splint to gradually readjust your jaw? I think you need a whole lot more information than you have.
Have you met your deductible this year? If so, get the surgery now. Otherwise, do it next year and when you hit that deductible, have your other stuff done.
It is your pain, and you are the one to live with it. Your decision. Personally, I like to get unpleasant things over with and hate pain. My husband's jaw was broken in a bike accident, and it was almost 20 years before it was diagnosed. The dentist made a bite splint and he is much better. It has prevented his needing surgery. Look for a dentist who works with TMJ patients using splints.
Hugs, Sharon
There is TMD and TMJ. Most consider what you describe as Temporomandibular JOINT. The "disorder" is used when people grind their teeth and get soreness in the teeth and jaw. I am thinking at your age, you could not have a compromised jaw/joint problem with jaw bone deterioration, nor joint deterioration for them not to be aligning. See...when I accidentally popped my jaw bone back into the joint...I told all the doctors , dentists, and endodontist what it had been. The ENT, not one to back down, scoffed. One dentist said, well--you took care of that. The endodontist didn't seem to care...and the regular old doctor said "at your age either or both of those structures could be shrinking away or eroding...and be careful it could happen again. The last one made the most sense to me. I heeded her advice. Knock on wood..no more incidents. I've never heard of TMJ jolts..but it is a perfect description of how it hurt. Man. I can still feel that pain. As long as I didn't open my mouth too widely I was fine. Also...I did EXACTLY what you are doing..chewed on the other side. I would also hold my chin with my fist if I yawned..to hold my teeth together. That's why I am writing this as it's so familiar.
I guess what I am saying is do what you think is best. IF..and that is a BIG IF since they have seen it on an MRI...it is what mine was, misalignment, jaw bone slipped out of the joint..or off kilter (as I will never know) it will pop back in. It took mine 6 months. The injections? All I can see is it might alleviate pain..but it might also relax the area for it to fall back into place (IF THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED.) Like I said, they have pictures of yours. You'd think that would/could be the final word.
Keep us posted plz. Quite intriguing.